Fountain pen nib



July 8, 1952' WING 2,602,425

FOUNTAIN PEN NIB Original Filed March 27, 1946 2 Sl-lEETS-Sl-[EET l R. T. WING July 8, 1952 FOUNTAIN PEN-NIB 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Original Filed March 27,. 1946 INVENTOR.

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Patented July 8, 1952 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I I I 2,602,425 I FOUNTAIN PEN NIB Russell Wing, Excelsior, Minn. Original application March 2'7, .1946, Serial No.

657,509. Divided and this application May 13, 1948,.SerialNo.26,8 l8 i s V This'invention relates to fountain pen mm and has to do more particularly with a nib for 'a fountain pen which will operate successfully with India ink and is, therefore, capable of being eniployed as a drafting pen. It further relates to a'r'iovel drafting pen niband to a'pen nib Which,

canbe used in place of'the drafting nib for writing or lettering. I j Y Qne of the primary objects of my invention is to provide a nib adapted for use-with means effec tive to obviate or offsetthetendency oflndia' ink. quickly to clog the capillary feed channel which necessarily is employed 'in'all fountain pens-thus. making it. possible to provide a form:- tain penwhich will" operate"successfullywith that kindof ink, or with any other ink; f

' Another object is to provide a nib for a successful fountain ruling pen.

Afurther object is to provide an improved nib for a fountain ruling pen which can easily be kept'in continuous operation for relatively long periods-and which also is readily adapted for quick adjustment as to line width.

Still another object-is to provide a drafting or ruling, pen nib which can be-used successfully as a component part of a fountain pen capable of usinglndia ink An additional object 'is'to'provide-a flexible pen nib of small diameter suitable for writing and lettering and which is not disposed to chatter.

Another object is to provide aflexible fountain penxnib which. is suitable for writing and lettering. and. which: can. be used in. my new fountain lnkcongealing or partially congealin F ere in;

and. by virtue of sucnprovision I am able: to produce a fountain pen which can successfully beused with India ink and thelilne. In. carry ingout my invention Ipre'fer' to utilize a novel arrangement disclosed and claimed in my 'afore mentioned application. which brings about a movement'of the cleaner element along the feed channel in response to pressure applied. to the end bf the pen nib-thus enabling a user. to

quicklyand easily clear thefeed channelv whening out myinvention, to employ a "novel coneveritfbecomes,clogged. "Ijal'so prefer, in carr'y 7 Claims. (01. 120 -1095) structibnwherein the cleaner elementhis utilized for'ad'justingthe drafting pen nib to effect any desired line width within its range. The present application'relates particularly to a nib of novel 1 construction especially well adapted for use in a pen of the character disclosed'in my aforesaid application.

Other and further objects of my invention will .40 possible and practicable to clear said channel p whenever it becomes obstructedby reason'of the.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l isan' enlarged, longitudinal, sectional view through'the forward portion of a fountain pen constructed in accordance with my. invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, longitudinal, sectional view of that portion of the pen which is to the rear of that shown in Fig. 1;

Fig; 3 is a transverse sectional view taken alon line 3-3 "of. Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an edgewise detail view of the nib adjusting and cleanerto'ngue:

Fig. 6 is a plan View of a writing and lettering pen nib adapte'd'for use in the fountainpen of Figs. 1-5; i

' Fig. '7 is a side elevational view of the sam en nib;

Fig. 8 taken at 8+8 ofFigl7;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line QT- 9" of Fig. .7;

Fig- 10 is a longitudinal sectional view takenalong line "fil -I'll of Fig. 6, but with the forward portion ,Of the cleaner tongue of Fig. 7, also shown; s

Fig. 11 a transverse section taken along the line IIH- of 'Fig. 10';

Fig. 12, is a transverse section taken along line |2'l2of- Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a transverse sectiontaken along lina Iii-l3, of Fig- 1.0;.

Fig. 14 isfa', transverse section taken along linev l3-- l3. of Fig. 10', but illustrating a modification wherein the. leaf springs of the resilient portion of the nib are. disposed in zontalplane;

Fig; 151s a transversesection taken. along linegated. barrel l, into the rear end of which is screwed a cup like piston 2 (see Fig. 2 Mounted. in .the forwardend of the barrel I and-normally assuming the position in which it is shown in is a rear endwlse view of'the same nib,"

parallel in the hori- Fig. 1 is an overflow governor and feed element 3 having a lengthwise bore 4 extending from the front end thereof to the point 5 and proportioned to receive snugly the shank of a pen nib 6, which is shown in detail in Figs. 6-16, inclusive.

The governor 3 has a considerable number of radial fins I spaced apart to form intervening narrow capillarycells 8 which constitute, jointly, an auxiliary reservoir for the reception and storage of ink which may be forced out of the main reservoir in excess of what is required for Writingsaid cells being operative, when filled, to feed out the stored ink to the nib. Extending from end to end of the governor on the upper side thereof, as viewed in Fig. 2, is a narrow radial slot 9, which functions as a capillary conduit through which ink from the reservoir I is conveyed to nib and also to the capillary cells 8. The governor 3 has a rearwardly extending shank II which is bored axially to receive a breather tube or fill stem 12, the front end of which is slidably telescoped in said bore. Projecting'forwardly from the tube 12 and anchored thereto is a sheet metal tongue 13 (shown edgewise in Fig. 5) which is secured to tube l2 by means of a laterally extending lug M which projects through an opening in the wall of said tube. This lug also serves to break up any obstruction due to congealed ink or. foreign matter in that part of the slot 9 which extends along the shank ll. Another lug l5 projecting laterally from the tongue I3 also functions to break up obstructions in the slot 9. The tongue l3 has a laterally extending portion I 6 whichis designed to enter a slot 46 (see Fig. 6) in the shank of the pen nib and is effective to break up obstructionstherein when the pen nib is moved rearwardly as hereinafter described. The tongue l3, also has a por tion I! which lies in slot 9 above the shank of the pen nib and serves to break up obstructions in the slot 3 near the open edge thereof and further includes a long, narrowportion I8 which'lies within the pen nib and extends lengthwise thereof. This latter portion serves to break up obstructions inside thepen nib. It'may alsoserve to effect line width adjustments of a drafting nib, when such a nib is used with the pen, as disclosed and claimed in the parent application referred to, name1y,'Ser. No. 657,509. 7

The breather tube or fill stem I2 extends'all the way to the rear of the pen (see Fig. 2), and normally abuts the inside of the end wall of piston 2. A valve'l9 is fixedly mounted on tube I2 and forms an abutment for a helical spring 20 which, in turn, presses forwardly against governor 3.

The valve I9 forms a part of the subject matter of my copending application, Serial No. 655,- 077, filed MarchlB, 1946, nowPatent No. 2,509,-

465. It has no essential significance so far as the present invention is concerned, although it is used in conjunction therewith.

As previously stated, the fountain pen of the present invention is designed primarily for use,

with India ink which has a distinct tendency to congeal rather quickly and, for that reason, is indisposed to continue to flow freely and continuously in a channel of capillary dimensions. To meet that situation, the pen of Figs. 1 to 5 is so designed that by pressing inwardly on the nib,

the latter is caused to recede, together with governor 3. During this operation the-cleaner tongue 13 remains stationary, while the governor and nib move relatively thereto. The rearward movement of the governor is opposed by a spring 20 which is suitablyseated and which operates to return the governor and nib to normal position as soon as the retractive pressure on the nib is removed. The backward and forward movement of the governor and nib relatively to the stationary cleaner tongue serves to stir up the partially congealed ink in the capillary feed channels of both the governor and the nib and this causes the ink again to flow. In using the pen the operator from time to time, as required, pressesthe end of the nib against some convenient firm surface. s The nib 6 is depicted in detail in Figs. 6 to 16 and will now be described. But before entering upon such description, it should be explained that this is a writing or lettering nib and not a drafting nib, and that the primary underlying object is to provide a pen of very small dimensions laterally, which will write without chattering and which will spread at the point (if shading is desired) and which is rugged enough to withstand being pressed into the ;barrel without suifering impairment, and is adapted to accommodate the cleaner tongue.

For purposes of description. nib 6 may conveniently be considered as comprising three major parts, namely: a front portion 30, a resilient intermediate portion 3| and a rigidshank portion 32. Fig. 6 is a view looking downwardly on'the nib, as it is held when writing;" and it will be seen from inspection of this view and of the sectional view, Fig. 11, that the front portion 30 has a vertical slit 33 which divides said front portion symmetrically and constitutesan ink feed channel. The two tines orblades 34 and 35 which result from slitting the front portion are of solid cross-section, as shown in Fig- 11. Said blades are preferably formed at ,their' ends as shown in Fig. 16, from which'it will'be' seen that there is a narrow contact surface or writing point at 36 and a relatively broad contact'surface at 31. The blades are so formed in order to provide .a fine writingpoint at 36 and a broad writing point at,

31. However, itis not essential that this feature be retained. That is to say, the end of the nib could, if desired, be sof ormed as to provide two identical writing points. Y

The notch 38 is provided merely 'te facilitate obtainment of a firm hold on the-nibv for with drawing it from the governor.

In, use it is generally desirablethat'the bladesv 34 and 35 spread apart inv response to writing pressure just as an ordinary nib spreads when writing. But if the present nib, being very small laterally (the shank is aboutone-sixteenth inch maximum diameter), were constructed in the.

manner of an ordinary pen nib, it would chatter very badly and would for that reason be quite unsatisfactory. To'meet that situation, I have provided a resilient intermediate portion 3| which at the intermediate portion 3| into fiat springs,

or the equivalent, as best illustrated Fig. 13;; The twoileaf springs and 41 are, respectively, continuations 'of blades Hand 35;" and said," springs are so disposed as to the planes in which they lie, flatwise (see Fig/13); that they'have components of flexure' laterallyinopposite di rections.

In other words, when writing pressure applied to the end of the-nib, spring-:40 has-a component of flexu rein the direction indicated byarrow 42, while-spring 4| has a component of "fiexure inthe direction of "arrow 43 but the principal components-of flexure' are -inthe directions indicated by the arrows 44: and AS -which is -to say, nearly-vertical: -Thus', spri-ngs Mandel will yield to writing pressure and produce a desirable degree ofspreading'of -the nib at-Ethe writing I point,- yet eachof said springs is so -wide. inthe horizontal plane that chattering is avoided, While at the'same time the springs are confined within a very: constricted area eross-sectionally. This results from the fact thatthe springs are positioned one above the other which is madepossaid angles are of zero magnitude, the blades; will not spread in response to Writing pressure." On

the other hand, ifsaid angles are-too large, there may be a tendencyfor the pen to chatter: Moreover, by'making said angles larger, thewidthwi se dimension of the springs is incidentally decreased,

if the over-all diameter of the nib is to be kept within a specified limit, and that, of course, would tend to detract from the non-chattering characteristic of the nib. Generally speaking, angles A and B of fifteen degrees each. or somewhat less, are satisfactory when it is desired to produce a nib which will spread; but there is nothing particularly critical about that angular value. If it is desired merely to realize flexibility without any spreading at the point of the nib, the springs 40 and M may be disposed one above the other in parallel horizontal planes as depicted in Fig. 14.

The cross-sectional view of Fig. 12 is taken at a point where blades 34 and 35 are undergoing twist. From that point rearwardly the blades gradually change in cross-sectional configuration until they assume the rectangular form of springs 40 and M.

The shank 32 of the nib has a lengthwiseslot 4B for accommodation of the cleaner tongue l3. And said slot extends forwardly to the point 41 where it connects with an axial bore 48 which is of sufiicient size, cross-sectionally, at all points to clear the cleaner tongue. In each of the crosssectional views of Figs. 12, 13 and 14, cleaner tongue [3 is shown.

It is to be noted that when using the nib of Figs. 6 to 16, tongue l3 does not function to spread the blades of the nib except as an incident to clearing obstructions.

Nib 6 is prevented from rotating by means of a. pin 49 which is secured in the governor and is flattened to enter slot 46.

Movement of tongue 13 may be utilized to effect adjustment of a drafting nib, when a drafting nib is used in the pen, by partially unscrewing piston 2-see Fig. 2, as disclosed and claimed in the parent application referred to, namely Serial No. 657,509. Tube 12 is thus caused to recede under the pressure exerted by spring 28, and this effects a corresponding retraction of tongue 13.

In referring to the vertical plane as respects the pen nib of Figs. 6-16, I mean the plane along which Fig. is taken; and in referring to the .horizontal plane I mean the plane. along -11 claimlg -lr A pen nib: comprising hollow shank, a writing portion formed with a-v'er-tical Islit defin ing two horizontally adjacent substantially parallel and relativelyrigid nib sections, and oon- :necting portions integral with saidshank-and respectively-with said nib sections; each formed as a relatively flat, flexible spring-element of substantially less thickness and-greater fiexibilL- ity: than the corresponding ni-b'sections and dis posed one above. the other in pl'anes, extending at not more.

'zonta'l.

than forty-five degreestothe' hori- 2. A pen nib comprisinga-rigidforward-por tion, a. rigidshank portion, anda resilient intermediate portion Linterconnecting said: forward .portiorrand shank portion, saidiforward portion being-slit lengthwise in thevertical plane-to form twolaterally. adjacent... substantially pare allel; complementary blades, said. intermediate portion. comprising twov lengthwise; extending flexible. lea'f springs disposed one above theother,

saidspring's each being relatively. wide'andthin in transverse section and substantially thinner and more flexiblethan. the corresponding nib section, the-widthwise dimension of each said spring;-as viewed in. transverse section beingsubistantiallysequal to that of: said shank andgeach said springbeing coincident, with; a plane which makes an angle of not more than forty-five degrees with the horizontal plane, said springs being each a continuation of one of said blades, respectively.

3. A pen nib comprising a rigid forward portion, a rigid shank portion, and an intermediate portion which is resilient in. the vertical plane and rigid in the horizontal plane, said forward portion being slit lengthwise in the vertical plane to form two laterally adjacent complementary blades, said intermediate portion comprising two lengthwise extending leaf springs disposed one above the other, said springs each being relatively wide and thin in transverse section, the widthwise dimension of each said springs, as viewed in transverse section, being at least approximately coincident with the horizontal plane, said springs being each a continuation of one of said blades, individually, said nib having a twist of approximately ninety degrees about its longitudinal axis at the rear end of said forward portion and forwardly of said intermediate portion.

4. A pen nib comprising a rigid forward portion, a rigid shank portion, and an intermediate portion which is resilient in the vertical plane and relatively rigid in the horizontal plane, said forward portion being slit lengthwise in the vertical plane to form two laterally adjacent complementary blades, said intermediate portion comprising two lengthwise extending leaf springs disposed one above the other, each being relatively wide and thin in transverse section, each of said springs, as viewed in transverse section, being disposed, widthwise, in a plane extending at a small angle to the horizontal plane, the said planes of the respective springs being nonparallel and so chosen that flexing of said intermediate portion in the vertical plane will cause said blades to spread at the writing point, said springs being each a continuation of one of said blades, individually.

5. A pen nib comprising a rigid forward portion, an elongate rigid shank portion, and an intermediate portion, said forward portion being slit lengthwise in the vertical plane to form two laterally adjacent complementary blades, said intermediate portion comprising two lengthwise extending leaf springs disposed one above the other, said springs each being relatively wide and thin in transverse section, said springs, being so disposed that the intermediate portion is rigid against bending in a generally horizontal plane and flexible for bending in a generally vertical plane, said springs being each a continuation of oneof said blades, individually, said nib having an axial passageway extending'from therear end thereof and connecting with the slit in said forward portion, said passageway being adapted to accommodate a cleaner tongue.

6. A pen nib comprising a rigid forward portion, a rigid shank portion and a resilient intermediate portion, saidforward portion being slit lengthwise in the vertical plane to form two parallel complementary blades, said intermediate portion comprising two lengthwise extending leaf springs disposed one above the other, said springs constituting continuations of said blades, individually, said nib having a twist of ninety degrees at the juncture between said forward por tion and said intermediate portion so that the flatwise plane of each spring is at least approximately ninety degrees displaced with respect to the plane of the slit between said blades.

- -7. A pen nib comprising a rigid forward portion, a. rigid shank portion and a resilient intermediate portion, said forward portion being slit lengthwise in the vertical plane to form two parallel complementary blades, said intermediate portion, comprising two lengthwise extending leaf jsprings disposed one above the other. said springs constituting continuations of said blades, respectively, said nib having a twist'of ninety degrees atvthe juncture between said forward portion and said intermediate portion, said springs lying, flatwise in intersecting planes, the flatwise planes of said springs being each at a small angle to thehorizontal plane. said planes being so directed that writing pressure applied to said nib will cause said blades to spread at the point.

RUSSELL T. WING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,360,297 Wing Oct. 10, 1944 

